What's the Story? eSIMs ease wireless woes for travelers

Travel embedded SIMs (eSIMs) are one avenue for travelers to maintain wireless network performance. Now, organizations outside the telecom industry are joining service providers in providing travelers with a range of eSIM service options.

At a Glance

  • Benefits of eSIMs to travelers (02:29)
  • Vodafone provides eSIM trial to festivalgoers in the UK (04:45)
  • Airlines and fintech companies get into the travel eSIM business (07:23)

Mobile phone performance is critical for travelers navigating unfamiliar locations, keeping in touch with family, and sharing photos and videos on social media. 

Travel embedded SIMs (eSIMs) are one way travelers can maintain wireless network performance, and organizations outside the telecom industry are now joining service providers in providing travelers with a range of eSIM service options.

Light Reading's Tereza Krásová explains how Vodafone's new eSIM service provides customers with the ability to try its network for free at UK concerts and summer events. She discusses eSIM and travel eSIM adoption in Europe and what it means in terms of new revenue opportunities for both service providers and their competition.

For a lightly edited transcript, please click the caption button in the video toolbar. 

Here are a few topics we cover:

  • What are embedded SIMs (eSIMs) and how do they differ from physical SIMs?

  • Benefits of eSIMs to travelers (02:29)

  • Impact of eSIM use on service providers' revenue from roaming fees (03:49)

  • Vodafone provides eSIM trial to festivalgoers in the UK (04:45)

  • Airlines and fintech companies get into the travel eSIM business (07:23)

  • Orange and O2's approach to travel eSIMs (09:33)

About the Authors

Kelsey Ziser

Senior Editor, Light Reading

Kelsey is a senior editor at Light Reading, co-host of the Light Reading podcast, and host of the "What's the story?" podcast.

Her interest in the telecom world started with a PR position at Connect2 Communications, which led to a communications role at the FREEDM Systems Center, a smart grid research lab at N.C. State University. There, she orchestrated their webinar program across college campuses and covered research projects such as the center's smart solid-state transformer.

Kelsey enjoys reading four (or 12) books at once, watching movies about space travel, crafting and (hoarding) houseplants.

Kelsey is based in Raleigh, N.C.

Tereza Krásová

Associate Editor, Light Reading

Associate Editor, Light Reading

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